Goliathus goliatus

Distribution:

Cameroon, ?

Breeding hints:

Goliathus are the holy grail of beetle breeding. Many tried and many failed, included me. A breakthrough was achieved when breeders realized that Goliathus larvae are cannibalistic. Feeding them with proteins, for example with dried dog or cat food, dried silkworms, other beetle larvae, makes the larvae grow well and fast. If you think that this is the main challenge, wait for pupation, during which there normally are heavy losses again. My conclusion is that even though Goliathus can be bred in captivity it is a species for experienced breeders. Oh, and discipline is very important.

Goliathus goliatus has a large number of colour forms, including forms with partially or entirely white elytrae. These are normally rather rare and high prized.

Interesting Links:

Karl Meier was one of the first guys to breed Goliathus goliatus

Jayson Wong has a slightly different and more economic approach

Specimen Pictures:

Goliathus goliatus goliatus male, Zambia © B.Harink

Goliathus goliatus appicalis male, Zambia © B.Harink

Goliathus goliatus male, Guinea © B.Harink

Pictures of living specimen:

Goliathus goliatus female © Borhuah Chen

Goliathus goliatus pair © P. Curik

Goliathus goliatus pair © M. Frei

Goliathus goliatus pair 1 © P. Curik

Goliathus goliatus male © M. Frei

Goliathus goliatus male © Borhuah Chen

Goliathus goliatus goliatus female © P. Curik

Goliathus goliatus goliatus f. conspersus male © Borhuah Chen

Goliathus goliatus goliatus f. conspersus female © Borhuah Chen

Goliathus goliatus female © Borhuah Chen

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